Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill: Multi-Agency Child Protection Teams

What will multi-agency child protection teams do?

MACPTs would be required to provide support to local authorities when discharging their child protection duties to investigate whether a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.

To support local authorities, it is proposed that MACPTs will convene strategy meetings and lead enquiries, as well as overseeing the development, delivery and review of child protection plans. MACPTs would also be expected to provide case consultation for practitioners who need MACPT expertise.

Who will sit in multi-agency child protection teams?

In terms of who would form these MACPTs, the Bill proposes that they will be formed of individuals from the following areas:

• social worker

• registered health professional

• police representative

• person with education experience

Specifically, the Department for Education has stated that the person with education experience should have some past and direct experience working in a school setting, be skilled and experienced in school safeguarding at a senior level and understand the wider multi-agency safeguarding landscape.

Designated safeguarding leads

Considering the experience required, it is likely that school designated safeguarding leads will be well-suited to this role. Designated safeguarding leads are crucial to the safeguarding landscape in schools, and local authorities would likely greatly benefit from the in-depth knowledge of the Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance required of the role.

The introduction of MACPTs highlights the Department’s commitment to improving the safeguarding and protection of children. It also makes clear the pivotal role that designated safeguarding leads hold in the safeguarding landscape.

Practical steps for schools

Schools should ensure to take appropriate steps to ensure continued compliance with the statutory Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance as it is update year to year, including ensuring that policies and practices align with statutory requirements, and that all staff, including designated safeguarding leads, receive appropriate training and understand their role in safeguarding.